Who are Munna Jhingada and Shahzad Bhatti? The duo investigators say ISI is using against India

New Delhi: The arrest of nine alleged operatives by the Delhi Police Special Cell has revealed what investigators describe as an attempt by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to revive a strategy reminiscent of the network used during the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

According to officials, the operation exposed an alleged underworld-terror nexus involving Dawood Ibrahim associate Mudassar Hussain Sayyed, better known as Munna Jhingada, and Shahzad Bhatti, an alleged ISI-linked operative accused of recruiting and coordinating individuals for activities in India.

Investigators believe the duo played complementary roles within the network, with Jhingada allegedly overseeing operational aspects and Bhatti handling recruitment and planning.

Echoes of the 1993 Mumbai blasts model

Officials say the ISI is attempting to leverage the extensive criminal networks built over decades by the D-Syndicate to execute operations in India.

An official familiar with the investigation said the strategy mirrors the approach adopted during the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, when underworld operatives allegedly handled logistics, arms smuggling, target selection and execution while receiving support from Pakistan-based handlers.

Following the 1993 attacks, the underworld was largely used to generate funds for terror outfits through illegal activities such as narcotics trafficking. However, investigators now believe there is renewed interest in using criminal networks for direct operational purposes.

Officials noted that criminal operatives often attract less scrutiny than designated terrorists, making them useful assets for covert activities.

Who are Munna Jhingada and Shahzad Bhatti?

Jhingada, originally from Mumbai's Jogeshwari area, has long been considered a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim. He was arrested in Thailand after allegedly attempting to eliminate rival gangster Chhota Rajan and spent nearly a decade in prison there.

According to officials, Pakistan fought a legal battle to secure his transfer, arguing that he was a Pakistani citizen. Investigators note that he had entered Thailand using a Pakistani passport.

During his incarceration, Jhingada is said to have come into contact with Lama Aung Kami, a Nepalese national who was among the nine people arrested by the Delhi Police. Authorities allege that Kami was responsible for managing logistics and finances for the network.

Shahzad Bhatti, meanwhile, is accused of using social media platforms to spread anti-India propaganda and recruit young individuals into criminal-terror modules. Officials claim he has become an important link between underworld elements and Pakistan-based handlers.

Investigators believe the combination of Jhingada's criminal network and Bhatti's recruitment capabilities represents a significant security concern.

Officials also suggest that Pakistan's reliance on such networks may stem from the current difficulties faced by terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Security agencies believe losses suffered by these groups and internal distrust have pushed handlers to explore alternative methods of carrying out operations.

Authorities have warned that future efforts could focus on recruiting local gangsters and vulnerable youth to create fresh modules across the country. Potential targets, according to investigators, could include religious places, railway stations and prominent individuals.

The Delhi Police and intelligence agencies are continuing their investigation into the network's reach, funding channels and possible links to other operatives. IANS